Better get a lawyer son, better get a real good one...

I thought I would share my story. I post this not to be judged on the wrongs and rights of my actions, merely to offer some hope to those in a similar situation.

September of 2013, I decided to go for a ride with my dad (Honda 1200 cross tourer, silky, powerful, reminded me of a sewing machine with a seat). We went up into the mountains of mid west Victoria, Australia . To a place called trentham. Rode sensibly and within all legal limits all morning . Arrived at the pub in Trentham and enjoyed a couple of refreshing ales and a nice meal. It was then time to descend back down the mountain and home to Melbourne . It is a fantastic bit of winding , country , mountain road. I decided to have a bit of a crack on the way back since dad tends to ride a bit...... Leisurely. ( one of the reasons I like riding with dad, his pace keeps me in check) . So I wind on the throttle a little more aggressively and I am having a great old time. A few clicks over the limit but well within my limits. After about 10 minutes of this I hear a horrible , horrible noise.

No not from the duke ( running like a Swiss watch @20k km) no it's a far worse noise
Eeee oooo eeee oooo eeee oooo, woooooooooo woo woo woo. The boys in blue. ....

Copper in an unmarked patrol car has zinged me oncoming as we both crested a rise. Probably got 2 secs warning. I had not seen him at this point , the cop did a u turn and began a pursuit.

As I am on the gas and in attack mode I and completely unaware of my new friend. He finally catches up ( took him a while he says) .

Certainly is a pretty sickening feeling getting rolled by the cops red handed. The oncoming (first detection) was 105kmh in an 80km zone. The pursuit ( second detection ) was 120kmh in an 80kmh zone.

We go through the usual rigmarole "why were you speeding ? " is the ever a good answer to that? Blah blah nothing unusual or noteworthy about the exchange. Then hands me a ticket , $470 bucks , 6 demerit points (of 12) and six months on the bus.

Well shiiiiiiite!! Being a truckie this was really an issue for me obviously. The fine and points I could wear but 6 months off the road was going to cause serious financial issues.

Initially I pretty much threw my hands in the air and walked around cursing myself, various deities and of course the cops.

Having nothing to lose and also as a stalling technique to stay on the road longer , I decided to take the matter to court. Knowing the process can take many months to finalise in court. If anything I was simply buying time. At first I thought I would represent myself and simply ask for mercy. After a bit of research I discovered this technique is by and large a waste of time. The court system ( at least in Australia) does not admire your courage or tenacity for representing yourself. You are in fact a pain in the butt who must now be painfully coached through the correct legal procedures .( this is a fact) the courts appreciate at least basic experienced representation to allow a smooth legal process( the magistrates have to get through dozens more cases) . I am only refering to the magistrates court as that is my only experience.

I decided to go for a barrister instead of a basic solicitor. His services cost me 2100 bucks for what amounted to about 3 hours work , including court time (about 7 mins in court)

Long story short, my lawyer was able to negotiate a reduced charge of 105 in an 80 zone (reduced to 103 for variance) $250 fine , 3 points and keep license.

He negotiated with the police prosecuter to stick with the first detection (laser) and delete the second detection (estimation from speedo while pursuing) from the police statement.

the whole ordeal from busted to court appearance was a bit over six months and it truly sucked. It was like the fabled sword on a string over your head. I posted this just to share my experience and perhaps offer some hope to anyone in a similar situation. As I opened with please don't judge the wrongs and rights of my actions. I am aware that what I did was perhaps foolish and I perhaps got lucky with the end result.

I now ride like my dad lol.

Nice job . I got pulled over today doing 79 in a 60 by a motorbike cop but my guy must have been having a good day as he let me off with a warning saved me $750.

Good story mate. Who hasn't ridden hard in the hills at one time or another?

Good to hear you got to keep your ticket.
Tip: Don't buy a 1290 - I need the novelty to hurry up and wear off before I'm in the same boat.

Holy Fu*k, you guys get raped for speeding over there.

Typical speeding fine over here is about £30 and in all honesty outside of town there are hardly any traffic cops about. Fair few speed cameras but if you know where they are you can more or less ride how you like with little risk of being nabbed. Even if you are you need to be doing double the limit or north of 100MPH for any serious risk of a ban. Compared to this down under sounds like a nightmare.

Consider this, somebody I know rode to work this morning on a bike (not an SD) He was often in three figures, spent miles lane splitting and twice saw a sustained figure at more than double the national speed limit and never once was he in any serious danger of getting a ticket. The same guy repeated much the same last weekend etc etc, the climate here can be miserable but it seems there are some compensations

Glad you kept your licence (and job)

Mick75 is in Victoria, I think in SA ours are even more draconian than his:
Speeding but less than 10kph over limit - $150 fine and 2 demerit points
Caught 10-20 kph over limit - $330 fine and 3 demerit points
Caught 20-30 kph over limit - $670 fine and 5 demerit points
Caught 30-45 kph over limit - $800 fine and 7 demerit points
Caught 45 kph or more over - $900 fine and 9 demerit points
Each offence also attracts a $60 Victims of Crime levy
Fkn ridiculous - and these are on the spot penalties...usually worse if you go to court (without the $2100 barrister).
Could be worse - could live in Queensland - I think with the new hoon laws, more than one wheelie every 5 years and they crush your bike
Just hope the cops don't have KTM 1290 speedos....

I actually think it's a little more Ferret . I was quoted $750 and five points today .

Should get a second quote

Got waved by a traffic officer on a Yamaha bike today while I was riding home just before road works on the motoway. Since I decided to take the scenic route, my brain went in to overdrive to think about what I did and what he noticed in his mirror. While getting next to him and trying to pull over he waved me back on the road and pointed next to him. I obliged and he asked "how's the KTM? .
I guess they are not all bad. Friendly chap, interested in bikes and so on, just wanted to have a chat.
However I hate how they chase people for a bit of speeding in Australia, like you're some kind of an baby axe murderer.

Those are harsh fines. I got a ticket for going 93 mph (150 kph) in a 65 mph (104 kph) zone. I chose not to fight this one, but I normally do. The fine was around $550 US, but I paid another $100 or so and opted for traffic offender school. Completing the school wipes the ticket from your driving record, i.e., no demerit points. You can take the school at least once every 18 months. (Sometimes you can take it more than once, but the judge has to give you permission to take a second offender school.)

Because you can do this, insurance companies really punish you for getting a point on your record. One time, I couldn't complete traffic school because I was in the hospital and a point showed up on my record. My insurance immediately doubled. Onc I got out of the hospital, I went to court and got permission to complete the class and wiped out the point and my rates went back down. Most offenses are 1 point and it takes 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months to lose your license. (DUI's are a different matter.)

It seems though, that your system works a lot like ours. Judges know that attorneys cost money, so by hiring an attorney, you've already: (1) shown that you recognize the seriousness of your situation; (2) have taken a responsible action to address the situation; and (3) self-imposed your own fine / punishment - the cost you paid the attorney. So, they tend to be more "lenient." While, some will probably try to argue the fact, this is, in large part, how our legal system works in the US as well.

Glad you had a reasonably good result.

You got the nice weather but crap police Most of my life I have been fortunate with the police in good old blighty.

Yeah not in Queensland, better off running the copper down when he gets out of the car as you will get less for murder.

I did all that, barrister, court for a mono right through Ann street in the centre of Brisbane (what was I thinking, will grow up soon, only 46 at the moment)
Anyway, charged with driving without due care, judge bangs on about antisocial behaviour and hoon laws, ended up suspended for 4 weeks, 4 demerits, $400 fine.

Got caught in the UK at 175mph, well they only got me at 98mph on radar in car, but went on about how I pulled away from him like he was parked up and managed to get out of range before he could get another reading on the radar. At the time it worked out to $60 and 2 demerits, was in the middle of the night, but still was fooking flying (flat out on R1)

Got my first fine in over 10 years the other day. 62 in a 50 kmh zone, $150 and 2 points.
One of the benefits of speed cameras here is that cops dont spend as much time monitoring traffic like they used to and as most cameras are forward facing and we have no front plates you rarely get pinged on a bike.
Got pulled over for an RBT on the weekend and after passing the line of traffic waiting to be tested got a little lecture and as I am getting on the bike the copper mumbled so his mates couldnt hear 'nice bike mate'

I've owned many bikes in the past 25 years of riding and I've never felt the need for a radar/ laser detector. With this 1290 I'm now investigating radar/ laser jammers. I know for a fact that the high end jammers definitely are effective. From what I've seen so far they all look very complex and bulky. I like the idea of being able to jam a speed detection device but not at the cost of making the 1290 look like a bad science fair experiment. I passed a trooper coming the other direction while cresting a hill in a crossed up wheelie. I set it down and kept hammering down the road. Hit the next curvy road I was familiar with and never saw him again. The 1290 is like being on a date with a really crazy redhead. You know what you are doing is dangerous and will more than likely lead to heartache but something just tells you to " go ahead, it will be fun and you'll have great stories to tell". The only bike I ever had that was anywhere near as mental was the 2004 ZX10r. I can certainly see how the 1290 would be considered "un rideable " without the electronics. But , just like the redhead,I'd still like to experience the madness.

Nice analogy

The cops here are a joke. You just got to be smart about it and not ride in hot spots or popular places, something only the locals ever know.

No radar detectors are m/c specific but with the HARD System from legal speeding
your Valentine or Escort can be adapted to give a heads up display in your helmet

Check it out. I've had one ever since they were released and have saved myself
Dozens of tickets. It works with valentine and escort your choice.

Steve

I just ordered the H.A.R.D setup AND their waterproof mounting box!

My 1290's parked till I get my Valentine up and running. My 1290 seems to suck any self control out of me within the first 30 minute of my rides

it'll be set just as soon as I figure out when to get power from.

Good deal. You will love it. As for power there is an easy place right behind the headlight.

Out of curiosity, how do you guys mount them and how do they stop you from getting pinged both front and back?

As I seem to remember, they have the sensor built in the unit, so need line of sight front and back?

I use a mount from tech mount - they're very well made and good looking
I think the site is -- tech-mount.com.
As for getting bit by radar it's Russian Roulette. Nothing is full proof.
Works most of the time perfectly. Obviously if you're all alone and the
LEO hits you with his unit from the side of the road you're screwed. If he's driving
Hits others you'll get a reading. They do a good job of picking up radar from a lot
of directions - but don't go on the cheap. The Escort or Valentine seem to be the
Best.